One of the first decisions a Bride and Groom often consider before anything else is whether or not they will be having a bar or a dry wedding. If alcohol is your desired choice, there are several things to consider.

1. Open bar or cash bar? If you’re planning on having a bar make sure you work it out with your venue/caterer accordingly. Make sure your venue and/or caterer has the right insurance/license. If you plan on having a cash bar be warned that there is licensing required (unlike an open bar) and the added cost of using a venue or bringing in a provider with a liquor license may completely off-set the money you were trying to save. Understand that an open bar means your guests probably be a little more liberal with their drinking, meaning you will most likely go through a bit more alcohol. If you’d rather run out than pull Aunt Sue off the dance floor for her drunken antics then plan for whatever is within your desired beverage budget. However, if want the party raging all night but concerned and unsure of what is a responsible amount per guest I suggest you speak with your caterer. They should be very knowledge about the alcohol-to-guest ratio and may have suggestions to keep the drinks flowing with out flooding the budget.

2. Where will it go? The bar is generally the center of your wedding event and will have heavy traffic as guests go back and forth throughout the night. It is important to consider the layout of the venue, table set-up and number of guests. You should work with your caterer to determine if one bar or multiple will be the best for flow and service. The next consideration should be placement of the bar (or bars). The bar should be positioned so that it is easy for your guests to access while not hindering the movement of other guests and more importantly wait staff. Working out these details will help to avoid long lines and longer waits. Remember, grandma is old if she’s going be on her feet it better be on the dance floor not waiting for a gin and tonic.

3. Will you be serving specialty drinks? Right now themed drinks are very trendy but will add additional cost to the budget. Take that into careful consideration when planning the bar. There are ways to add customization and still stay on budget but it will require early planning and should not be put off to the last minute. If budget is not a concern then consider carefully what you would like served and make SURE you have all the ingredients, garnishes, decorations, cups, etc that you need. I suggest putting this in the hands of your caterer and not relying on friends, family or the bridal party. All it takes is one person rushing out the door with out the skittles to ruin your love rainbow.

4. Be clear with your guests about tipping. Whether you’re planning on having an open bar or cash bar be sure you’re clear on whether not your guests should or should not be tipping their tender. Typically bar tenders hired for open bars at weddings are paid hourly by the caterer and this cost has
already been rolled into your catering bill. If you do not want your guest providing tips be clear with the bar tenders that they are not to put out tip jars nor are they to accept tips if offered. If you are not sure how the bar tenders are being paid or you plan on providing tip directly speak to your caterer before the event so everyone is clear.

5. TRASH! No matter what type of it is bars will result in trash build up. Your wait staff should take care of the trash around the venue but make sure there is garbage receptacle located by each bar. This will help bar tenders keep the area clean and tidy without leaving their stations. It is important to make sure you are clear with the venue and the caterer about how many bars you would like prior to the big day. Venues often have a time limit as to how long you may have the room and this should be outlined in your contract. You could face additional charges if you cannot get the room cleaned and empty in the allotted time. Providing your wait staff with easily accessible trash receptacles will help them keep on top of bar trash throughout the night which will ensure that your guests and not the venue are the only thing “trashed” when you leave.

6. Glassware! If you are trying to keep the budget down by ordering limited glassware be advised you should speak with your venue to ensure that there is an area to wash and sanitize glasses for reuse. I’ve seen to many couples make the mistake of believing their guests will “reuse” their glassware. Although this would be ideal most guests do not stick to the same drink throughout the night, If they deiced to change up their order chances are they’ll want a fresh glass. Additionally, you can’t sharpie your name on the side of crystal….I mean you can but I don’t think the rental company will be too happy…. Guests are likely to put their drinks down and forget which glass is theirs and return to the bar empty handed. Remember to keep your options open, you can always start with glassware and switch to disposable. Now-a-days there are some really lovely disposable choices and your caterer may have some creative ideas available you have not considered yet.

7. Last, but not least transportation. Though transportation is not necessarily the Bride and Groom’s responsibility, if you’re planning on having a bar you should consider the fact your guests will need to get home…or you’re going to have one crowded Bridal Suite! Consider calling a local taxi services and discussing guests discounts with them. You may be surprised the positive feedback you receive from the local cab providers and your grateful guests. Going the extra little bit will let your guests know how much you appreciate them sharing your big day.

For more wedding tips and tricks give me a call at (845) 518-6533.and when you think perfect food for your perfect day think of The Chocolate Mousse Catering

Unless you’re planning on dedicating your cake’s soul purpose to acting as an assault weapon, like this lovely couple above, you may want to make sure you do your homework. Pick one you’re going to be thrilled with, both for consistency and “smash” factor as well as taste.

Many couples make the mistake of leaving the cake until the last minute. Thinking that they can get a great cake from any place, or completely unaware of the cost associated with type or size of cake they’d envisioned. This type of thinking generally leads to extreme disappointment on their wedding day when they’re stuck with a cake that falls short of their dreams.

 

So, if you’re looking for a large, customized, delicious cake, it’s important that you shop around, start early, remember taste test, taste test, taste test. Ask to see the bakers cake portfolio of other weddings and events to get a feel for their skill set. Most importantly be clear and up-front on what YOU want.

As a baker myself I can tell you I can only make your vision a reality if you give me all the details. We unfortunately can’t read minds so if you have an idea bring pictures and possibly even recipes. However, keep in mind that sometime peoples dreams may be larger than what the cake can support so if you’ve found a great baker listen to their suggestions, they will help you get as close as realistically possible and keep on budget.

The cake wraps the whole day up AND if you’re a traditionalist you’ll bee eating it again on your one year anniversary so make sure you and your guest love it.

If you have more questions or would like to schedule a taste testing give me a call at (845)518-6533

 

 

You can plan your day until your brain comes out your ears but it will not matter if you have the perfect venue, best photographer, the most beautiful dress and sunshine all day if the food falls short. Let’s be real, guests come to weddings for 3 things,to eat, drink and be merry. It’s important that you find the right caterer who is experienced in wedding receptions to secure happy taste buds in all your guests. We’ve all been to those wedding where we could down the minutes for that appropriate time to make an exit and hightail it to the closest McDonalds. To avoid the “McDonald” do the research first. Consider the following when trying to find the right food for your day:

 

 

1. Budget: How much is the max you can spend per guest. This is not to say you should aim to pay your max, in actuality you should do your best to look for a provider that comes in under your max this will allow for more flexibility in your food budget and adjust for changes that may be needed.

2. Know Your Must Haves: Know what type of menu you want before you price check venues and caterers. Even though weddings may be venues and caterers regularly business this fact does not mean they can give you an accurate quote if you have no idea what you want. There is a huge price difference between buffet and sit-down service. Sit-down will require additional wait staff which will directly affect cost. Service is not the only thing that will greatly affect food cost, food choice obviously affect cost as well. If you’re considering salmon and filet mignon as main course together with a full pasted appetizers expect a large quote. On the flip side if you have base idea of your “must haves” but can be flexible with the “wants” you’ll find larger wiggly room in your budget.

3. Cocktail Hour: If part of your must haves is a cocktail hour consider the type you want. Did you want passed horderves or self-serve stations? Were you thinking hot, cold, mixed? Have you estimated how many guest will show for cocktails. These are all important considerations when trying to plan your budget.

4. Desert: When considering a caterer for the big day I suggest finding one that does cakes as well. Generally you will get a better overall package deal if you go with someone who can supply dinner and dessert. Consider the amount of dessert you would like. Consider the timing of dessert and how much your guest will eat. Guests at a late night wedding are less likely to want heavy sugars and mass amounts of coffee. Talk to your caterer about what they think would be appropriate based on the time of day and season.

5. Consider Your Guests Dietary Needs: Try and pick a menu that will agree with the vast majority of the guests but always account for individuals needs. Let your caterer know if specialized dishes will need to be set aside to account for allergies, kosher practices, or any other dietary restrictions.

6. Listen to the Professional: Once you’ve considered your price range, must haves and guest needs it’s time to start looking for the right caterer. If you’ve thought carefully about the above the caterer should be able to easily assist you in planning your wedding day. Schedule tasting and shop around but in the end make sure you pick someone you are sure can deliver the perfect day. They should be knowledge, have a great reputation, and make you feel at ease. Your wedding day is the day you will remember forever make sure you entrust it to a caterer that understands that.

If you have more questions or would like to schedule a tasting give me a call at (845)-518-6533